Eventing success part one: are you ready?

To this day, I still vividly remember that exhilarating feeling of crossing the finish line of my first-ever event – and, in my job, I’m lucky enough to replicate that moment every season with my younger horses.

But whether I’m producing a youngster or taking on an already established horse, deciding when we – as a partnership – are ready to go to our first event together is a decision that I never take lightly.

Eventing is a demanding sport, but when you feel full of confidence in every discipline and see consistent improvements in your results, it’s incredibly rewarding, no matter what your back story.

The requirement for athletes – both horse and human – to be fit and skilled enough for the challenge is essential for safety, so knowing how to prepare for your first event not only ensures you have an enjoyable day out, but also helps set you up for future success.

The right time

Knowing when you’re ready to event can be a difficult and daunting decision to make and there are many factors it can depend upon, such as…

• the amount of experience you and your horse have together as well as separately
• your confidence levels
• the age of your horse
• your ability and the level you’re currently riding at

There are so many variables for this and it’s important to assess both sides of the equation – you and your horse – before taking the leap.

First, think about how well you know your horse and how much you trust each other. You might have been a partnership for a number of years, which means you know very well how he reacts in different situations and environments, so you can work together to overcome problems. Or he might be a relatively new figure in your life, so you’re still getting to know each other.

This goes hand in hand with your experience – individually and as a partnership. Maybe you have plenty of eventing experience under your belt but it’s a whole new ball game to your horse. Alternatively, you and your horse might have competed in other disciplines, but are yet to tie them together. If your horse is new to you, it’s unlikely you’ve been to many competitions, but you may have been getting out to training events every week, so you’re quickly learning more about him.

Finally, it’s important to delve deeper into your confidence levels, too. Eventing is a challenge to say the least, and it’s important for your and your horse’s safety that you’re confident as well as competent.

Discover more of Piggy’s advice for knowing when you’re ready for your first event in Spring Horse&Rider. Get your copy today!